An apparent accidental plane death has claimed the life of veteran Canadian factual TV director/DOP John Driftmier at age 30 years-old.

Montreal producer Pixcom late Sunday said Driftmier was in Kenya filming the documentary series Dangerous Flights for Discovery Canada when the small plane he was in crashed Sunday morning, killing him and the pilot.

The series from Pixcom was in principal production on its second season.

“This is a terribly sad day for all of us.  The Canadian production community has lost a bright and rising star. His talents will be missed and we share our deepest sympathies for his wife, family, friends and colleagues,” said Paul Lewis, president and general manager of Discovery Canada in a statement.

Dangerous Flights chronicles a company of ferry pilots delivering small, private planes around the world.

Driftmier as a director and cameraman specialized in factual television.

His numerous credits include several Discovery series, including Highway Thru Hell, which follows a heavy towing rescue team removing semi truck wreckage from the winter highways of British Columbia, and Licence to Drill, about northern oil exploration.

Driftmier is survived by his wife and parents.

Photo via John Driftmier’s website